Decorated mezuzah case

ABSTRACT

A mezuzah case including a base, attachable to a doorpost; and a cover, attached to the base to define a cavity suitable for placing a scroll, wherein the cover is decorated with an in-mold decoration. Optionally, the cover is curved. Optionally, the decoration resists wear caused by rubbing of hands thereon.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of Israel Patent Application No. 193627 filed on Aug. 21, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof relate to mezuzah cases, and more specifically but not necessarily, to mezuzah cases with a replaceable cover. Mezuzahs currently enjoy widespread usage throughout the world by those practicing the Jewish faith or tradition. In accordance with Judaic teachings, a small scroll inscribed with Biblical verses (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 & 11:13-21) is placed in a case, and the case is attached to the doorpost of a home to secure the scroll of Biblical verses to the home's doorpost. Such a case, when containing the Biblical script is referred to as a mezuzah.

In further accordance with Judaic teachings, it is important that the scroll of Biblical verses be maintained intact and in good condition. Hence, it is necessary that the scroll be checked periodically to either confirm its good condition or to replace a deteriorated scroll with a new scroll having intact script. Current mezuzahs suffer the shortcoming that they do not allow easy access to the scroll-containing interior compartment for such checking of the condition of the scroll.

Although the metal, wooden or plastic elongated two-part housing generally used as a mezuzah case protects the scroll to some extent, nevertheless it is customary to open the housing at least once every three years to check that the mezuzah remains in good condition since with time the parchment and ink undergo a further drying process which can result in one or more letters on the rolled up parchment peeling off therefrom.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,900 describes a mezuzah having a base portion which is permanently mountable to a doorway fixture, and having a housing portion with a bore in one of its ends for receiving a scroll bearing Biblical text therein, with the housing member being slidably engageable with the doorway mounted elongated base member. The lower, bore communicating end of the housing member abuts a sealing member of the base member upon engagement of the housing member to the base member to effectively seal the bore in which the scroll is disposed to prevent the scroll from falling out and to shelter the scroll. The scroll may be periodically checked for integrity or replaced by sliding the housing member off of the base member to gain easy access to the bore, with the housing member then slidable back onto the base member to secure the scroll in the housing member. A latch may be provided to selectively prevent slidable disengagement of the housing member from the base member.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,702107 describes a door post-attachable housing for a mezuza scroll, of the type having a base component for attachment to a door post and a cover component, said base and cover delimiting a compartment for housing a mezuza scroll, characterized in that said base component is provided with means for separate attachment thereof to a door post and with support means extending into said compartment to retain and support said mezuzah scroll in rolled-up configuration, and said cover component is provided with means for removable inter-engagement with said base component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in some embodiments thereof, a mezuzah case having an in-mold decorated cover.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a mezuzah case comprising:

a base, attachable to a doorpost; and

a cover, attached to the base to define a cavity suitable for placing a scroll, wherein the cover is decorated with an in-mold decoration.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cover is detachably attached to the base such that the cover may be taken off and on a plurality of times without damaging the cover, the base, or said doorpost.

Optionally or alternatively, said cover comprises a transparent or semi-transparent portion, through which a scroll inside the case is viewable outside the case. Optionally or alternatively, said in-mold decoration comprises a UV protector. Optionally or alternatively, said in-mold decoration comprises a unidirectional light filter, allowing light to enter into the case but not to escape from the case through the cover. Optionally or alternatively, the case comprises a photovoltaic cell for lighting the mezuzah from inside. Optionally or alternatively, said cover has an outer face that is smooth so as to make it easy to clean.

There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a kit, comprising a plurality of mezuzah cases as described herein, each with a cover of a different decoration. Optionally, all the cases are of mutually different decorations.

There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a kit comprising a single mezuzah cover base and a plurality of mezuzah case covers, each of said covers being attachable to the case as to form a mezuzah case. Optionally, the mezuzah case formed when one of said covers is attached to said base is as described herein.

There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a kit comprising one or more mezuzah case covers, each decorated with in-mold decoration. Optionally, the kit does not contain a mezuzah case base.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures. With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the figures makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a mezuzah case according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 2A-2F are illustrations of mezuzah case covers according to various embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof relate to mezuzah cases, and more specifically but not necessarily, to mezuzah cases with removable cover.

An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a mezuzah case having a cover decorated with in-mold decoration.

It is customary among religious and traditional Jews to kiss the mezuzah case whenever entering a house or a room with a mezuzah at the door step. The origin of this custom is Hibuv Mitzvah, that is, showing the affection of the Jew to the Mitzvah, in this case, of having a mezuzah at the doorpost.

Usually, the kissing is symbolic by first touching the mezuzah with the tip of the fingers and then kissing the tip of the fingers. This way or another, mezuzahs are touched or kissed many times every day for years. This challenges the durability of any ornament on the outer side of the mezuzah's case. For instance, if the housing is made of glass, plastic, or metal, simple coloring fades off and/or abraded rather quickly. Consequently, mezuzah's are usually engraved or embossed rather than painted, which makes them either very simple in design or very expensive.

In some embodiments of the invention, a mezuzah case is decorated with an in-mold decoration, thus having a transparent protective cover protecting the decoration from being abraded. Some people hold that abrading even a minute amount of the decorating paint may be considered desecration of the Sabbath, and therefore, refrain from kissing the mezuzah in Sabbath. In-mold decorated mezuzah can be touched and kissed fearlessly in Sabbath, allowing even the most observant Jews to kiss the mezuzah in Sabbath without fear of desecration of Sabbath.

From the point of view of Hidur Mitzvah (beautification of Mitzvah), it is advantageous to have a beautifully decorated mezuzah case. A mezuzah case decorated with in-mold decoration according to some embodiments of the invention can be made more beautiful than other mezuzahs available for a similar price, thus allowing also Jews that are not rich to beatify the Mitzvah of mezuzah.

In some embodiments of the invention, the mezuzah has a replaceable cover, which is easy to replace without the need to disassemble the cover with tools, and without detaching the mezuzah case from the doorpost.

When A Jew sells his house to another Jew, it is forbidden to leave the house without a mezuzah. Thus, a Jew that has a beautiful mezuzah, or a mezuzah of special sentimental value, must sell the precious mezuzah with the house, and buy another mezuzah for his new house. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the mezuzah case cover is replaceable, so if the house owner wants to have the same cover in his new house, he can take it with him, and replace the cover with another one, which is less dear to the house seller than the old one.

In addition, it is known that in many Jewish hospitals mezuzahs are contaminated with bacteria more than other parts of the walls or doorposts, probably because many people, including the patients, touch them regularly. The problem is so severe, that some Rabbis advise against touching mezuzah in a hospital. In some embodiments of the invention, the cover of a mezuzah case is replaceable, thus allowing replacing the cover frequently, and reducing the danger of accumulating a dangerous amount of bacteria on hospital mezuzahs. Also, an in-mold decorated mezuzah is smooth (in contrast to most engraved or embossed prior art mezuzahs), and therefore easy to clean. Optionally, a mezuzah case according to some embodiments of the invention is water-proof, thus encouraging cleaning the mezuzah without fearing of spoiling the scroll inside.

In accordance with an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a mezuzah case decorated with ornamentation that is impressive, non-abradable, and non-expensive. Optionally, the mezuzah cover is also smooth and/or easy to clean. Preferably, there is no risk of desecration of the Sabbath in touching or kissing a mezuzah decorated according to some embodiments of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the ornamentation is of the kind known in the art as “in mold decoration.”

In an in mold decoration of a mezuzah case according to some embodiments of the invention, the decoration is first printed on a protective layer, and then plastic is injected on an ink carrying side of the protective layer, to form a decorated mezuzah case cover. When the molded plastic solidifies, it provides a mezuzah case cover with the decoration between the protective layer and the injected plastic. The process results in a mezuzah case cover decorated with decoration that can't be abraded during use.

In some embodiments of the invention, the mezuzah case cover also protects the scroll from UV light, optionally keeping them Kosher for longer time. For instance, in an in-mold process as described above, the protective layer comprises a UV absorber.

In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, a mezuzah casing comprises two parts: a base, attachable to a doorpost, and a cover, attached to the base, but not to the doorpost. The cover is preferably attached in such a manner that allows separation of the cover from the base, and reattachment of the cover to the base to re-obtain an intact and Kosher mezuzah case.

In some embodiments of the invention, a plurality of covers fit to a single base, such that the cover may be replaced without detaching the base from the doorpost. This may be useful, for instance, for educational purposes.

Part of the Mitzvah of mezuzah is to teach the commandments to the children: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children . . . . And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates.” Thus, the Mitzvah is educational in part. With mezuzah casings according to some embodiments of the invention the cover is made to attract attention of the child so as to increase the child's motivation to learn about it.

For example, in some embodiments, the cover has a transparent or a translucent portion, through which the scroll is viewable, to ignite the curiosity of the children. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the cover is detachable, such that the parent can open the cover, and show the child the scroll so as to teach him the commandment in a most direct manner.

Alternatively or additionally, the cover is replaceable, and available in a variety of decorations, such that a child can choose the decoration of the mezuzah case at the doorpost of his or her own room, thus increasing the child's involvement with the mezuzah and what it stands for.

Frequent change of decoration may also be used to increase the child's curiosity regarding the mezuzah.

Optionally, a mezuzah cover is replaced each holiday, or on other events, with covers decorated with decorations suitable for the particular event, thus allowing the educator more tools to bring the child closer to the mezuzah and the content thereof. Similar decoration changes may be suitable not only to children rooms, but also in other rooms of the house or in the mezuzah of the entrance.

In some embodiments of the invention there is provided a kit comprising a plurality of mezuzahs, each with a different decoration. Optionally, the kit comprises one base and a plurality of covers, all fit to the single base.

A kit according to some embodiments of the invention allows decorating the house with different beautiful mezuzah, optionally, with a decoration that is specifically fit for each room according to the use of the room (kitchen, study, living room, bedroom, etc) or in accordance (e.g., color, pattern and/or content) with the inner decoration of the room. Optionally, the kit comprises mezuzahs decorated with decorations fitting the different Jewish holidays. Optionally, the kit comprises mezuzahs decorated with decorations fitting different occasions in the Jewish life cycle (Brith, Bar-Mitzvah, wedding, etc.). Optionally, the kit includes covers that correspond to ritualistic activities which may be carried out in the room. Optionally, the kit includes covers with one or more different prayers, such as a prayer for travelers, sick persons, peace or the household. Various ones or pluralities of the above types of cover decorations may be provided, also in a same kit.

In some embodiments of the invention a mezuzah case cover is provided without a base, thus, a purchaser can purchase only the cover and fit it to the base already attached to the doorpost. Optionally, multiple sizes are provided and the cover matched by code or otherwise to a base size. Optionally, different size bases all fit a same cover size. Different base sizes are optionally matched to mezuzah scroll sizes.

Optionally, a mezuzah according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a light source for lighting the mezuzah from inside. Optionally, the light source is active only in the dark, thus making a particularly appealing view. Optionally, the mezuzah is equipped with a photovoltaic cell, receiving light through a transparent portion of the cover during light time, charging a battery, and lighting the mezuzah from inside when the environment is dark.

Optionally, the photovoltaic cell or any other part of the electronic circuitry is hidden from the eye of an observer, for example, with an in-mold printed semi-transparent layer, which allows light going into the mezuzah house to activate the photovoltaic cell but blocks light from escaping through the cover, thus hiding the cell from the viewer.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a mezuzah case 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Mezuzah case 10 comprises a base 12 and a cover 14.

Base 12 is attachable to a doorpost, for example, by having a sticky strip (not shown), or holes (not shown) for receiving therein nails, or by any other attachment members known in the art as such. Base 12 has walls 13, including a back 13′, which together with cover 14 define a cavity suitable for receiving therein a mezuzah scroll. Optionally, the length of the inner cavity is between about 5 and about 21 cm, for example, matching scrolls of sizes 4 cm, 10 cm, 18 cm or other sizes; the width of the inner cavity is between about 1 and about 3 cm, for example, 1.5 cm or 2 cm; and the depth is between about 0.5 and about 2 cm, for example, 1 cm or 1.5 cm. Larger and smaller sizes may be used as well in some embodiments.

Cover 14 is detachably attachable to base 12 using snap fit. In the embodiment shown, the cover is attachable to the base with a tooth 16, adapted to snap fit into a recess or aperture 18. The wall 13 and the tooth 16 are formed of a material resilient enough to allow locking and un-locking the tooth to and from the recess many times without damaging the cover or the base. Preferably, detaching the cover from the base does not require detaching the base from the doorpost.

Optionally, the cover is attachable to the base in a water-proof manner, such that when the doorpost is wiped with a wet cloth, water does not enter to the cavity where the scroll is.

Optionally, cover 14 has holes 24 for nails for attaching the cover to the doorpost. The holes optionally have corresponding holes in the base, such that the nails go through the hole in the cover, the hole in the base, and into the doorpost.

The front face of cover 14 is decorated with an in-mold decoration 22, as exemplified in FIG. 2A to 2G.

A portion 22 of cover 14, optionally at the middle of cover 14, is optionally transparent or translucent, so as to allow viewing the scroll (not shown) residing in case 10 from the outside. In the drawings, in order to show the decoration more clearly, transparent or translucent portions are illustrated with black, as if the cover is put on a black background.

As used herein the term “about” refers to ±10%.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting. 

1. A mezuzah case comprising: a base, attachable to a doorpost; and a cover, attached to the base to define a cavity suitable for placing a scroll, wherein the cover is decorated with an in-mold decoration.
 2. A mezuzah according to claim 1, wherein the cover is detachably attached to the base such that the cover may be taken off and on a plurality of times without damaging the cover, the base, or said doorpost.
 3. A mezuzah case according to claim 1, wherein said cover comprises a transparent or semi-transparent portion, through which a scroll inside the case is viewable outside the case.
 4. A mezuzah case according to claim 1, wherein said in-mold decoration comprises a UV protector.
 5. A mezuzah case according to claim 1, wherein said in-mold decoration comprises a unidirectional light filter, allowing light to enter into the case but not to escape from the case through the cover.
 6. A mezuzah case according to claim 1, comprising a photovoltaic cell for lighting the mezuzah from inside.
 7. A mezuzah according to claim 1, wherein said cover has an outer face that is smooth so as to make it easy to clean.
 8. A kit, comprising a plurality of mezuzah cases according to claim 1, each with a cover of a different decoration.
 9. A kit according to claim 8, wherein all the cases are of mutually different decorations.
 10. A kit comprising a single mezuzah cover base and a plurality of mezuzah case covers, each of said covers being attachable to the case as to form a mezuzah case.
 11. A kit according to claim 10, wherein the mezuzah case formed when one of said covers is attached to said base is in accordance with claim
 1. 12. A kit comprising one or more mezuzah case covers, each decorated with in-mold decoration.
 13. A kit according to claim 12, which does not contain a mezuzah case base.
 14. A mezuzah according to claim 1, wherein said cover has a curved outer face.
 15. A mezuzah according to claim 1, wherein said in-mold decoration extends to cover most of at least one surface and most of at least one adjoining surface of said cover.
 16. A mezuzah according to claim 1, wherein said in-mold decoration extends to cover most of at least a front face of said cover and most of at least two adjoining narrow side faces of said cover. 